Newly discovered papers reveal the background to the making of a will and the family conflict involved in its probate in late 17^th century Wiltshire.

Hester's will
Ref: P/3/M/200

In early June 1692 worn out by her travails Hester Minchin of the village Cleverton, near Malmesbury, took to her bed and decided that the time had come to make her will. She sent her son Thomas, known as Vicessimus because he was her twentieth child, to the nearby village of Little Somerford to summon John West, a writing master. In the presence of her servant Joan Kyte and Elizabeth Kyte she declared her will. John left the chamber and wrote the will which was read out and signed be Hester and the witnesses. For some reason Elizabeth signed as that of her former married name of Woodford, but this was subsequently scratched out and her current name written over it. The elaborate and flourishing letters of the opening line are evidence of John’s skill as a calligrapher.

The will was disputed by one of Hester’s sons, Giles, whose debt to his mother was bequeathed to his brothers Samuel and Thomas. However the case was overturned and the will was proved in 1694. Found among a bundle of miscellaneous church court papers these documents have been re-united with the will and associated papers which all bear the tell-tale holes proving that originally they had been pinned together. The whole group will be filmed under the Wiltshire Wills Project.  (P/3/M/300)

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Marlborough Mound has for so long been the subject of debate as to its true age. Was it constructed as a medieval motte (castle mound) or is it in fact substantially older, the same age in fact as nearby Silbury Hill, the iconic prehistoric earthwork?

18th Century Drawing of The Marlborough Mound

The Blog can now bring you the definitive answer – and it is reshaping how we understand the ancient Wessex landscape it inhabits. The mound, definitively used as a medieval fortified settlement, was already three-and-a-half thousand years old when the Normans arrived! This makes it the same age as the pyramids in Egypt!

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Whilst Wiltshire’s museums are full of the varied and interesting objects that define the county’s character, there are also clues within their collections to local people who have had a broader, historical impact.

I noticed this myself when I came across an image on the Chippenham Museum database http://www.chippenham.gov.uk/tourist-information/local-attractions/chippenham-museum--heritage-centre.aspx, which showed a silver and gilt hand bell, surmounted by a male figure representing industry and the handle showing the Trades Union Congress armorial emblem. A handsome piece of town silverware - but on closer inspection, the piece is inscribed ‘Presented to Florence Hancock CBE….September 1948’.

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A re-enactment event is being staged in Monkton Park, Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th June (11am – 5pm). With this in mind, I have delved into the Local Studies Library to arm you with further information regarding exactly what occurred in Chippenham during the Civil War period.

 
Map of Chippenham, mid to late 17th century
Ref: 118/53

Tony MacLachlan has written an excellent account in his book ‘The Civil War in Wiltshire’, which is well worth looking at, and is the basis for the information provided here.  

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I have visited several churches recently and photographed some really interesting features in their interiors. When a church is unlocked you will often find some good architectural and artistic work that has survived many centuries and Victorian restorations. The font can often be the oldest surviving feature of the church and may be Saxon or Norman. There can also be wall paintings, remains of medieval stained glass, 17^th century woodwork, royal coats of arms, carved medieval stone heads and much, much more. I’d like share a few of my pictures with you.
 

A very fine early 15^th century rood screen in the Church of St. Swithin at Compton Bassett. Not at all what would expect to find in a small village church but it is believed to have been brought from Salisbury Cathedral, or possibly Winchester Cathedral, in the 18^th century.

 
The Rood Screen, St. Swithun's Church, Compton Bassett

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Over the last couple of months I have been travelling regularly to North Swindon Library to meet with some young people from the Swindon Underground Youth Centre as part of our ongoing work as regional champion, South West Region, for the British Library and Museums, Libraries and Archives Council funded project called Campaign Make an Impact. Readers may recall from earlier blogs that this is a scheme where we are using history to inspire young people into active citizenship. Young people research historical campaigns and use the techniques they have learned to create their own modern campaign on issues important to them.

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